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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Bill to Extend Vehicle Repair Grace Period Advances
On Monday, the House Transportation Committee unanimously approved my House Bill 1436 to extend the non-commercial vehicle inspection grace period to 15 days, which is the time allotted for commercial vehicles and buses.
Workforce shortages and lingering supply chain issues make it difficult for vehicle owners to complete inspections and current law only provides five days when inspections can take up to two weeks to schedule. After five days, it is unlawful for the vehicle to be operated on any state road without submitting proof of inspection to police or the Commonwealth. My bill will increase the grace period to 15 days, giving Pennsylvanians the same amount of time as commercial vehicles to complete inspection.
I appreciate the bipartisan support of the committee and am looking forward to consideration by the full House, so we can make this simple, but important, update for Pennsylvania drivers.
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Highlighting the Need for Tort Reform
I joined colleagues in the House for a press conference on Wednesday to highlight the need for tort reform in Pennsylvania. The press conference emphasized the impact of excessive litigation on families and businesses. Tort reform affects everyone, not just those who are filing a lawsuit, as costs of excessive litigation are passed along to consumers.
For example, a recent rule change with no legislative input allows lawsuits to be brought in Philadelphia where verdicts are much higher, and litigation costs are far more expensive despite those suits having no connection to Philadelphia whatsoever. Our civil justice system must protect those who are innocent while eliminating unfair burdens from rules passed down from unelected boards. By reforming the Commonwealth’s tort system, we can ensure fairness and bolster Pennsylvania’s economy.
We are committed to enacting legislation that ensures fairness, promotes economic growth and establishes a level playing field. To watch the press conference on tort reform, please click here.
To listen to my comments on why PA needs tort reform, click on the video below.
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Thank You, First Responders!
On Wednesday, I had the honor of hosting an appreciation dinner for first responders who serve the 87th District. These men and women go above and beyond to serve and protect our communities, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect a neighbor. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude, and I appreciated the opportunity to thank them with this small gesture.
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Protecting Public Safety in Our Communities
From rural to urban Pennsylvania, no community has been spared from the crime crisis. In our ongoing effort to improve public safety, House Republicans have developed a four-pillared approach to addressing violent crime in Pennsylvania with focuses on prevention, policing, prosecution and punishment.
Earlier this week, bills focused on the prosecution and punishment portion of the package were unveiled. To address prosecution, the measures would establish a public safety assessment program for severe violent offenders, modeled after the Megan’s Law registry; create a unit within the Office of Attorney General to offer prosecutors to county district attorney offices if extra help is needed; and address bail guidelines.
With regard to punishment, measures would limit discretion of the court when it comes to following sentencing guidelines and require sentences for crimes of violence to be served consecutively, rather than concurrently, when multiple people have been victimized.
Read more about the prosecution and punishment proposals here.
In case you missed it last week, more information about the prevention and policing portions of the package is available here.
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Understanding Human Trafficking Seminar
For questions, please call my office at 717-975-2235.
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PFBC Offers Grants to Inspire Interest in Fishing and Boating
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is seeking applicants for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as "R3."
The grants will reimburse qualifying organizations up to $25,000 for eligible expenses for projects conducted between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The grants require a minimum of 25% match of total project costs. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, Dec. 6.
Organizations eligible for funding include school districts, universities and colleges, community and civic groups, sporting and conservation organizations, and local recreation departments. More information, including the application, can be found on the PFBC R3 Grant Program page on the PFBC website.
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PennDOT Seeks Feedback on Construction, Maintenance Services
PennDOT is hosting an online survey to gather feedback on its construction and maintenance services.
The 24-question survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations in construction and maintenance activities. Respondents are also asked about their experiences with reporting concerns to the department, and whether or how they use the state's 511PA traveler information services.
The survey is available through Oct. 22. Click here to begin.
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PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Columbus Day Holiday
All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, Oct. 12, through Monday, Oct. 14, in observance of Columbus Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.
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Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Begins Oct. 15
The annual open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries begins Tuesday, Oct. 15, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 7. Any new coverage selected or changes to existing benefits will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
During open enrollment, new Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage and health plans to complement Medicare, and current Medicare beneficiaries can review and join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage so it better meets their needs.
To help Medicare beneficiaries understand their options, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging offers free, objective health benefits counseling through Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI). Available at Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), PA MEDI counselors can assist Medicare beneficiaries with plan comparisons, help with enrollment in a new plan, and evaluate eligibility for any of Pennsylvania's Medicare cost-savings programs.
To learn more about PA MEDI assistance, click here. PA MEDI can also be reached at 1-800-783-7067 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Older adults also may call their local Area Agency on Aging for assistance. Click here for a link to contact information.
Information is also available at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
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Neighbors in Need Can Apply for Water Utility Customer Assistance
Fall marks the start of the school year and cooler temperatures. It also means that important resources become available for community members who may be struggling to pay their water bill. Many in our community receive their drinking water and/or wastewater service from Pennsylvania American Water. For more than 30 years, Pennsylvania American Water has been assisting customers who qualify through its H2O Help to Others Program. Help is available for Pennsylvania American Water customers who need support to pay their water utility bills.
To see if you qualify for customer assistance, contact Dollar Energy Fund at 1-888-282-6816, or apply online at https://www.dollarenergy.org/myapp/. Depending on your household income, you may qualify drinking water and wastewater grants of up to $500 per household per year and discounts starting at 30%.
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. This amounts to more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year.
One in four women (24.3%) and one in seven men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the U.S. have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month aims to help people recognize and put a stop to
this pattern of abusive behavior used to establish power and control over an intimate partner, causing both physical and emotional harm. Victims may be subjected to abuse, harassment, threats, vandalism, trespassing, burglary, theft and stalking.
As one of the most chronically underreported crimes, domestic violence affects men and women in all racial, ethnic, religious, educational, social and economic backgrounds.
More information about domestic violence and services available to help victims is available here.
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